Flame-diffuser and heat-retainer device for furnaces



' Jan. 9, 1940. 4 FAULDS 2,186,374

FLAME-DIFFUSER AND HEAT-RETAINER DEVICE FOR FQRNACES Filed Jan. 3, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR:

.4 TTORNEYS.

' George Paula 5 Jan. 9, 1940; a. FAULDS 2,186,374

FLAME-DIFFUSER AND HEAT-RETAINER DEVICE FOR FURNACES File d Jan. 3, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR: George FauZ/ds ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 9, 1940. G. FAULDS 2,185,374

I FLAME-DIFFUSER AND HEAT-RETAINER DEViCE FOfi FURNACES Filed Jan. 3, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 WITNESSES INVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS.

923mm I BY jzorye Fault-Z45; 7m

Jan. 9, 1940. e. FAULDS 2,

'FLAME-DIFFUSER AND HEAT-RETAINER DEVICE FOR FURNACES Filed Jan. 3, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4" FIG. m

ZI: I 6" M IIIII n I IIIIII HIII! III I'll I|I IIIIIIIIIIII INVENTOR:

A TTORNEYS.

qeorye FauZ/ds Patented Jan. 9, 1940 PATENT OFFICE FLAME-DIFFUSER AND HEAT-RETAINER DEVICE FOR FURNACES George Faulds, Philadelphia, Pa. Application January 3, 1939, Serial No. 248,940

17 Claims.

This invention relates generally to heating installationsincluding an intermittently-fired furnace having a combustion chamber above the fire box, said chamber including an axially located flame-diffuser. and heat-retainer means designed to effect substantially complete combustion of the available heat units contained in the'fuel.

More specifically, the present improvements have reference to flame-diffusing and heat-re.- taining devices of the type disclosed in my copending application filed August 9, 1938, under Serial No. 223,781, and has for general objects certain desirable improvements and variations whereby the thermal efficiency of such devices is enhanced, their assembly and adaptation to different sizes and shapes of heater furnaces facilitated, more effective diffusion of the flame is promoted, and a novel water back is assodrawings; while the novel items are more particularly expressed in the concluding claims.

With the foregoing in view the present invention essentially consists in the features .of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

in vertical section, of a domestic heating furnace including one type of the improved flamediifusing and heat-retaining means of the present invention.

Fig. II is ahorizontal section on the plane designated IIII in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a horizontal section on the plane IIII[I of Fig. I, or taken through the flamedifiusing and heat-retaining device.

Fig. IV is a similar plan section to the preceding, but taken on the plane designated IV-IV in Fig. I.

Fig. V is a fragmentary detail elevation of o partially-overlapping arcual-baflles included in the structure, and hereinafter fully described.

Fig. VI is a perspective view of one of the complemental sections comprised in the flamedifiusing and heat-retaining device.

Fig. VII is a perspective view of an inverte Fig. I is a view partly in elevation, but mainly view of one of the Figs. IX and X are perspective views of sub- I stitute blocks for elevating the crown of the device in accommodating this invention to different depths of combustion chambers.

i Fig. IX is a plan section illustrating the adaptation of this invention to a rectangular type 10 furnace, and taken approximately on the plane designated X[XI in Fig. XII.

Fig. XII is a vertical section on the plane XIIXII of Fig. 1H.

Fig. XIII is a vertical staggered-section, taken 5 as indicated by the lines and arrows XIIIXIII in Figs. XI and XII, but drawn to a larger scale for better illustration of certain details hereinafter fully explained.

Fig. XIV is a fragmentary elevation viewed 20.

in the direction of the arrows XIIV.XIV in-Fig. XEII, showing a special arrangement of baflles along the back wall of the heat retainer structure.

Fig. XV is a horizontal comer-section taken 25 on the plane XV-XV in Fig. XII, but drawn to a larger, scale. 7

Fig. XVI is a perspective view of the rectangular type flame-diffuser and heat-retainer with the crown thereof removed.

Fig. XVII is a perspective view of a'corner baffle hereinafter fully described.

Fig. XVIII is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating how the comer structure of Fig. XVI may be interlocked, at the upper edge, by a special block arranged to elevate the crown; and,

Fig. XIX is a perspective view of said special block.

V In the drawings, and referring more particularly to Figs. I, In and XII; a conventional type 40 of intermittently-fired hot-water heater or furnace is comprehensively designated .1; that shown on the first-mentioned figure being of circular cross-section and that in the latter two figures of rectangular cross-section. Each heater or furnace includes a refractory lined fire pot '2; a heat transfer or jacketed combustion chamber 3 with upper and lower access doors 4, 5, respectively; and a water head t defining passes to the outletjflue l. The furnace isifired by a conventional type oil burner 8 having a discharge nozzle 9 projecting into the fire pot 2. All of the foregoing .are in accordance with known practice and form no part of the present invention.

- concave-face merging into spacedly-related applanation.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. I-X, inclusive, which illustrate a typical embodiment of this invention, the bafile and heat retaining device Ill has the form of a massive cage preferably of metal which is positioned axially over the fire pot, said cage being of a diameter greater than that of the fire pot 2 but of less girth and height than the combustion chamber of the furnace. As a consequence, there is defined a perimetric space within the furnace between the device l0 and the furnace wall as well as a space above the device comprises complemental body sections ll of substantial cast iron to ensure stability when assembled; each said section being formed with spaced and longitudinallyaligning upper and lower outwardly-convergent slots l2, l3, respectively, defined by vertical and horizontal rails preferably of the cross-section shown in Fig. IV at H; as well as top and hottof arcual projections l4, l5, at each side thereof, with one of the latter having an offset extension I6. Each section II is also provided medially of its height, at oneside, with a lateral lug l1 and at the opposite side with spaced similar lugs l8, respectively adapted for interengage ment hinge-fashion with the corresponding lugs of the flanking sections II and connected Seating on the top of the baflie and heat retamer device l0 and engaged over the abutting edges of the arcual projections M are spacer blocks 2|, best shown in Figs. IX and X. Each block 2| is formed with a lower arcual channel 22 of a cross-section for easy engagement over the projections l4, and an upper tapering-section groove or fork-portion 23 which, when the blocks 2| are placed around the top of the retainer III, as clearly understandable from Figs. I and III, jointly afford substantial support for a removable top or crown 24. From Figs. IX and X, it will be understood the blocks 2| may be, made in sets corresponding in number with the retainer body sections so that the abutting arcual projections M are all interengaged with capacity for relative movement incident to expansion and contraction: also that they are producible in sets of different heights for usage in varying depths of combustion chambers 3.

The crown-piece 24 comprises complemental concave-convex halves 25, Figs. II and VII, which individually embody a circumferential semiannular rib 26, and radial grooves 21' in the ertures 28 around a central semi-circular cut-out 33 for the water to be heated in the back 3|,

while an outlet pipe 34 is correspondingly secured to the flat top 35 of said back for discharge purposes. In the event the outlet pipe 34 should project into the combustion chamber 3 at a lower level than shown, or in case the water head 6 is at a lower level, provision is made for attachment of said pipe to the water-back 3| by removal of a screw plug 36 and its connection into the hole 31, whereupon the plug is screwed into the correspondingly-threaded hole 38 in the water-back top 35. In addition, the water-back 3| is provided interiorly with radial projections or blades 39, preferably of the semi-crescent shape shown and functional to increase heat conduction to the water contained in said back.

comparatively heavy cast-iron radial baffles 40 are arranged around the crown 24 in edge-overlapping relation to induce a whorling action, or rotary turbulence, in the flow of the products of combustion about the upper part of the heatretainer device :||l, said baiiies also serving to effectively prevent short-circuiting of unconsumed fuel particles below' the combustion chamber top. Each bailie 40, as best shown in Figs. V and VIII, embodies an arcual inverted channel-section base 4| and a tangential blade 42 pitched at an angle to the horizontal with a reinforcing fillet 43 thereunder; said blade having the radial edges 44, 45 reversely or quarterrounded downwardly and upwardly, with the wards. Thus it will be apparent that, when adjoining baflle radial edge portions 44, 45 are brought into overlapping relation, with the bases 4| in abutment, as shown to bestadvantage in Fig. V, there will be formed around the crown 24 a series of regularly spaced angularly-directed choke passages 4'! collectively serving to induce checked spiral-flow of combustible gases from below said series to the upper region thereof, while the respective rounded edges prevent short-circuiting of said gases thereat.

By reason of the foregoing construction, it will device H1 and the furnace wall to facilitate heat absorption by said device. On the other hand,

' during the off periods of the burner, the vanes operate to suppress the gases and thereby conserve the heat previously stored in the cage.

Referring to Figs. XI-XIX, inclusive, which illustrate the application of the present improvements to a rectangular type boiler, all parts having their equivalents in the preceding description will be similarly designated with a prime exponent added for illustrative differentiation, and to avoid unnecessary repetitive ex- The combustion chamber 3' being rectangular in cross-section, the bafiie and heat retainer ||l' comprises a slottedback wall 48, similar side walls 49, and preferably a blank or solid front wall said parts being assembled, connected and secured together by offsets l6, lateral apertured lugs l1, l8, and pins l9; while the retainer |0' seats on a rectangular base plate 20. The spacer blocks 2|, with the exception of the corner blocks 5|, are like those previously described. Each corner block 5| consists of a substantial body having a rectangularlydirected 'channel 52 in the lower part, and of suitable proportions to engage on the back, front and side wall upper projections |4' asunderstandable from Fig. XVIII, more particularly; while the upper part of the block 5| is also concircumferential edge 46 similarly rounded down- H than one such series of pitched blades may be veniently grooved out at I! to tapering rectangular cross-section.

The'crown 24', instead of being made in complemental halves, comprises alternating narrow and relatively wider transverse sections 44, II,

u an inlet connection 33' and an outlet pipe 34';

and said sections 64, II are appropriately shaped to provide a continuous rib 24'- along the retainer side and back walls 48, 4|, respectively.

Engaging on the ribs 24' of the side walls 40 n are. the inverted channel-section base portions 51 of baflies SI inclined to the horizontal and overlapping at the contiguous ends to define upwardly-inclined choke passages 41' whereby the heater flame is .directed towards the top rear portion of the combustion chamber I. The corner baflles, see Fig. XVII, are of special form, that is to say they are made in right-and-left hand pairs with a rectangular groove" in the base 60. and a baille blade 6| inclined to the horizontal projecting upwardly from the outer walls, said blades 6| convergently overlapping outwards at the angular intersection 82. Intermediate the comer baille bases 80, .along the back wall 48 of the retainer l, and seating on said back wall rib'26' are the grooved bases 63,

of overlapping alternate ridged, and grooved, bailles 64, 65, respectively, which jointly define convergent choke-passages 68, effective to direct incandescent gases passing upwardly therethrough against the rear angular upper po'rtions of the combustion chamber 3', a region heretofore inadequately heated and frequently many degrees lower in temperature than other parts of the combustion chamber, with resultant loss in thermal efllclency.

Obviously, instead of sustaining the pitched baiiles 40, or 58, SI, 64 and 85, perlmetrically around the crown 24 or 24', respectively, they -may be by slight modification applied around the top of the structure ill or Iii; also more applied at diflerent levels of said structures and in staggering relation.

In operation, when the oil burner 8 is "on" the ascending, flame will heat up the retainer ill or ill to a high degree of incandescence in the minimum of time and by thermal attraction draw said flame through the slots l3, l2 outwardly and evenly against the inner wall of the jacketed combustion chamber 3, or through slots i3, i2 against the side and back walls respectively of the combustion chamber 3'. In the embodiment of Figs. I-X, further flame will be drawn outwardly through the transverse openings Of defined by the top edges of the sections ll, underside of the crown 24 and spacer blocks 2|; for whorling circulation over the battles 40 and through the choke passages 41 defined thereby, and thus difiuse the flame completely over the inner wall of the combustion chamber 3, as

well as evenly below the water head 8: and in addition thereto jets of flame will be directed upwards through the spaced apertures 28 against the water-back 3|. In the modified form of the 7'" invention shown by Figs. xr-xix, flame will pass outwardly through the slots II, II, as above set forth, while that drawn through the side openings 0' under the bailes II, II, and o sh the choke passages 41 will be distributed inwardly and rearwardly over the underside of the water head 6' to commingle with that issuing upwardly through the spaced apertures 2| in the crown 24'; whereas the choke passages" defined by the rear baffles 64, 85 will direct convergent strip-like jets of flame into the upper angular rear region of the combustion chamber 2'. Thus it will be seen that with either form of the invention shown and described, the diflering directional diflusion of the flame set up by the devices lb or ID positively ensure effective distribution of said flame against the entire inner walls of the combustion chamber with substantially even thermal eflect throughout the chamber.

While there has been described typical em-- bodiments of this invention, it is obvious that modifications'therein may occur to those conversant with the art, hence it is desired to include within the scope of the following claims all such reasonable variations in structural detail and combinations of the several parts as the state of the prior art may permit.

Having thus described my invention, claim;

within the combustion chamber; a crown for the device having spaced apertures therethrough; serially arranged rigid b'ai'fles individually pitched to the horizontal with edge overlaps, spaced block's having their lower portions suitably formed for retaining engagement with the top 01 the difluser device, said blocks serving to support the crown at predetermined elevation above the device and defining intervening openings for auxiliary; outlet of combustible gases, a suitable water -back sustained centrally of the apertured crown aforesaid; and the pitched baflles and edge overlaps serving to eflect turbulent flow of combustible gases passing out of the block intervening openings through and over the bailles about the water-back as well as against the combusa water back removably applied tothe crown with inflow and outflow connections; and laterally projecting rigid baifles supported .by the crown perimetric rib, said baiiles having edge overlaps defining passages of predetermined angularity and serving jointly with the bailles to effect local gyration of combustible gases flowing outward therethrough and over the waterback for direction against the combustion chamber inner and top wall surfaces.

3. A heat storing and flame diffusing device according to claim 2, in which the cage comprises complemental slotted sections having a lateral apertured lug at one side with spaced similar lugs at the opposite side, and means whereby the embody a channel-section base, and a laterally-Q projecting blade portion inclined to the horizontal, said blade portion projecting beyond the base at one end to define an overlap forming a choke passage thereat when the baflles are arranged in adjoining assembly, and the channel section base providing an interlock for adjoining cage section edges.

6. A heat storing and flame diflusing device according to claim 2, in which some of the baffles have ridged blades and-others are grooved, said bailles when alternately assembled in-lapping relation jointly defining convergent flow passagea therebetween.

7. A heat storing and flame difi'using device according to' claim 2 characterized by corner bailles having a suitable-section groove in the base corresponding to the corner angularity, and a blade portion inclined to the horizontal projecting from the outer faces of the base, said blades convergently-overlapping outwards along their adjoining edges to define a flow restrictive passage thereat. v

8. A heat storing and flame difiusing device according to claim 2 in which the crown supporting blocks are of special section with one portion defining a rectangular groove, and the other portion an opposing fork-like section.

9. A heat storing and flame diflusing device according to claim 2 characterized bycomer crown" supporting blocks, each said block embodying a channeled portion of corresponding angularity to that of the corner, and the other portion a complementally disposed upwardly tapering groove, and said channeled portion serving to connect adjoining cage section edges against lateral displacement.

10. A heat storing and flame diffusing device according to claim 2, in which the water-back is of hollow semi-spherical cross-section and is provided-with a fiat top, an annular concentric rib projecting below the water-back for seating engagement in the crown, means aflording attachment of an inlet connection axially below the back, and diflerentially located means for accommodating outlet connections at differentlevels.

11. The combination with an intermittently fired furnace having a flre box with a burner at the bottom of its combustion chamber. of a metallic heat difiusing and retaining device p0- sitioned axially over and of a greater overall d.iameter than the fire box, said device being in the form oi a massive open bottomed cage somewhat smaller in height and girth than the combustion chamber and provided perimetrically of its top with a series of mutually overlapping laterally projecting vanes which, during the active periods I of the burner, induces 'difiusion and gyration of the hot products of combustion and at the same time retards escape of said products from the space between the device and the furnace wall to facilitate heat absorption by said device, and

which, during the oil periods of the burner, op-

erates to conserve the heat previously stored in 'detachably connected to said cover.

16. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the top of the device has radial grooves at the inside leading to gas escape apertures, and wherein baflle vanes incline upwardly toward the furnace wall.

17- The combination according to claim 11, 

